The Absolute: Humanity's Second Chance

Allianz Adams, the only son of the previous Adams household, whose lineage built the whole shade shelter, which later grew into the now Shade Stronghold.

He grew up under the care of rich, and busy parents, family relatives and friends, hence why he had far less sociability skills than most. And a lower self love than even depressed people.

Yet he never resented anyone for his circumstances. Not his parents, nor his relatives. He just drowned himself in his studies while growing up, and in war, when he had grown grown.

He fought so much, he obtained newfound feelings of sadness, anger and hatred. Yet he continued to fight even more, and later lost those feelings once more.

Unbeknownst to him, he always fought for recognition from his his loved ones, and unfortunately, he never obtained it. That being the case, he gave up, and just fought for the sake of... fighting.

After ten years of war, of killing, of stealing, of destroying, of hurting, and most importantly, of fighting... he finally returned home, when he heard that his parents, and likewise relatives, lost their lives during an assassination.

Hence why he disliked the Gray House, or rather, every other assassin to ever live this world. But he didn't believe he hated them... he just disapproved of them.

But as the only Adams left, he took charge of the work they loved so much, and ruled over the Stronghold. He ruled over the kingdom they cherished, even over him, thus he also loved it more than he loved himself.

Even when he had a wife, he still overworked himself. Even after he had many wives, and a bundle of children, he still overworked himself, trying to obtain recognition from the ghosts of the Adams household.

But at the end of the day, 'I was only destroying myself, by doing something I was always used to... not loving myself.' He thought in sudden realization.

But that was before and this was now. He might not be able to make it up to his children, but he was hoping he would at least do something he wanted to do for once. To make it up to himself at most.

Thus he repeated himself once more, "The main reason I have called you all here... is to discuss the right to the throne."

Every child of his within the room, stood up in shock and disbelief. Each one finding it hard to believe that their father, Allianz Adams, the war beast of darkness, just said what he said.

"Don't get your hopes up. I'm not giving you my throne because I'm dying. But I'm giving it to you because I want my children to continue my legacy, and for that... you have have to prove yourselves." Allianz said, his tone stern and apathetic as always.

Everyone sat back down at those words, and prepared to listen to what more their father said. "Prove ourselves? That's not a problem, father, but how?" Axel was the first amongst everyone to speak.

And those words portrayed what everybody desperately wanted to know too. And Allianz knew that much, yet it didn't fail to disappoint him a bit.

"Yes, proving yourselves through qualifications of being a king." He said alongside a sigh, a first time occurrence as it showed a glimpse of their father's vulnerability. "In simple terms, I will give you rights of ownership to the four other cities, and by the end of the year, the one with the most control over their city will win."

"What..?" They all exclaimed, yet Allianz kept speaking, proving to them that what they heard wasn't mere illusions. "Great military power, reverence from the people, state of affairs, progress of development and many more aspects of managing a kingdom."

"Anyone amongst you that can do so the best, will take control over the whole Stronghold with my complete support." He concluded, and his children were still frozen in shock.

Moments later, Axel frowned as he comprehended the whole situation, and found the matter a bit complicated. "So, father, what are the rules pertaining to this... trials of ours." He inquired.

"They are none. You are all regent kings from now on, and must see each other as equals and kings as well. How you want to prove yourself, depends on how you believe a King should act. Only I will judge the end results." Allianz replied.

"I see..." And Axel nodded. He had obtained a lot of information from those words, and the major one was that... his siblings were more of enemies than family starting from today onwards.

"But father, how would we manage each cities? There are four cities, and five of us. Unless, you want to bet with the capital city as well?" Adonis asked, a frown on his face.

"...One amongst you isn't participating, or am I wrong, Filliona?" Allianz asked, and the woman, lowered her head in shame and nodded. "My deepest apologies, my King." She said.

"You mean big sister Adriana? Wait, why isn't she attending?" Adison interrogated, his frown growing even bigger and more unsatisfied.

"That is her choice, not my own. You can ask her yourself, if you don't belive me." Allianz said, and Amy added, "Plus, what right does she have to fight for the throne, when she couldnt even visit her own father on his deathbed?"

"I have to agree." Axel nodded in agreement but Adison disagreed. "She was sick." He said, yet Axel also didn't back down. "And you bought that? You really are naive, you know that?"

"..."

"That's about enough. I've told you what I wanted to tell you, and you will decide on which city you will manage." Allianz intervened, before the matter could grow out of hand so early on.

"But how?" Alonis asked, finally speaking after keeping his silence for the longest time here, amongst all siblings.

"Simple." Allianz said, taking out a cup which contained four different colored sticks. "Each stick represents a city, and you guys will choose whom amongst you goes first. Each stick chosen, will be the city you rule over." He said.

"..."

"..."

Everyone exchanged glances, especially the children, appraising one another carefully. Until Axel smiled bitterly and shrugged his shoulders, "I say the youngest goes first." He said.

Amy scowled, but reluctantly agreed to the matter. At the end of the day, this was a game of luck, and she would still choose before Axel. "...Fine with me." She relented.

"..."

"..."

Adonis and Alonis exchanged glances, and the first to choose was Alonis. He took the yellow strick from the cup, then Adonis, who took the black stick.

Amy took the green stick, and remaining white stick was left with Axel. After everyone had chosen their sticks, Allianz put the cup away and concluded the matter. "That is all. Once you reach your houses, you will unwrap the sticks and begin preparing to move out."

"Until then, you can do as you please. I want some time alone with your mothers." He said, and they all exchanged glances, before standing up tacitly.

"In that case, father, enjoy your rest." Axel said, bowing respectfully before he left. Any nodded at him and left as well. Meanwhile, Adonis and Alonis bid farewell to everyone else.

Once they were outside, Alonis bid him farewell. "I will be going home and will keep contact with you. In the meantime, sorry to bother, but can you deal with sis Adriana." He said.

"No problem." Adonis nodded, and then left to meet up with Fiona and the others. 'Let's... mot bother father about this matter for now, as he is still unwell.' He thought.

But he knew that his mother would definitely report this matter to him. It didn't matter anyway though, as he would have spent the time he desired with Fiona regardless.

"Ah, Adonis, you're back." Said Fiona, standing up to greet him as he walked in. The others just stood by and watched in silence. "Yeah, sorry I kept you waiting." He said with a gentle smile.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. Come, sit, let's have a talk, shall we?" Fiona said, and Adonis strongly nodded his head as well. "Alright then, let's talk."

The two future kings of humanity began their conversation, meanwhile, back at Damian's home, Juliette sat cross legged atop their bed, and saw through a water bubble how the meeting at the Adam's household took place.

"As you predicted, everything followed through your desired path." She said, and Damien, coming out of the shower replied, "Which was a given considering how much Destiny can change the course of time."

"I see." She nodded, dispelling the water bubble and laying down on the bed. "By the way, what do you want for lunch today?" She asked.

"Anything is fine by me." Damien said, changing his clothes to something easily movable within. Gray sweat pants, along with a gray shirt on his top. "Have you yet studied witch craft, by any chance?"